National Latino Congreso
November 10, 2008
The Honorable Barack Obama
President-Elect
United States of America
Presidential Transition Offices
Dear President-Elect Obama:
The undersigned leaders of the National Latino Congreso congratulate you on your historic election as President of the United States. Your message of national unity and change inspired Latinos to support you by a more than two to one margin. Latinos overwhelmingly support your commitments to enact urgent measures to reactivate the economy, promptly end the Iraq War, and expand health care access.
The National Latino Congreso is comprised of thousands of Latino local, state, and federal organizations and elected officials that gather annually to develop policy and electoral strategies that advance local, state, and federal policies that benefit Latinos in the United States. This year the NLC leaders worked together to mobilize some 130,000 Latino voters 14 states across America and worked diligently to protect the vote.
We express our unequivocal support for the Honorable Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, as your choice for Secretary of State.
Governor Richardson has distinguished himself across the public, private and civil sectors, across issues and across party lines. He has served America previously as a U.S. Representative, Energy Secretary and Ambassador to the UN.
However, he is most notable for his reputation in the area of foreign relations. He is internationally respected as an astute leader, negotiator, and representative of the United States interests. His leadership and vision are critical in this juncture in history.
Richardson enjoys deep relationships across the globe with a broad-spectrum of foreign leaders. Richardson has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize. His initiatives have included:
-helping free American servicemen, aid workers, journalists, and other hostages being held captive in North Korea, Iraq, Sudan, and Cuba;
- brokering an agreement for peace talks between the Taliban regime and opposing factions in Afghanistan and secured safe passage for 7000 Tajikistan refugees trapped in the northern part of the country;
- negotiating a peaceful transfer of power in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- brokering a cease-fire in the troubled region of Darfur in the Sudan in 2007;
- meeting with the Presidents of Colombia and Venezuela in an effort to free Americans held hostage by the Colombian FARC guerillas in early 2008.
Governor Richardson is the kind of Secretary of State needed by your administration at this critical juncture in which America seeks to restore its tarnished image abroad. Committed to diplomacy, known and respected on every continent, Richardson will work tirelessly to realize your vision for an America that leads first (and foremost) through the power of its ideals.
We respectfully urge you to nominate Governor Richardson for the position of Secretary of State.
Most Sincerely, Read the rest of this entry »
